Volunteering at the Women's Euros

The roar of the crowd in Switzerland was something I'll never forget. From the energy of Zurich to the charm of Olten, the warmth of St Gallen, and the buzz of Basel. every city held its own magic during the Women's EURO 2025.

I volunteered with We Are Free Lionesses, supporting fan meet-ups and leading fan walks on England match days. I also created content across social media to capture the buzz and share it with our community. We welcomed new supporters, shared stories, posed for a big group photo, and even enjoyed time at the Lionesses HQ - all made possible thanks to the collaboration between We Are Free Lionesses, The Football Supporters’ Association, and The Football Association.

Moments I’ll never forget

Two matches stood out for me: the one against Wales and the final.
The match against Wales was so enjoyable. We had a fan meet-up with the Welsh supporters at St Gallen and the banter was unreal - all in good spirits, full of laughter and shared love for the game. It reminded me of the joy I felt at Wembley in 2022 when England lifted the trophy.

Then came the final, England vs Spain. I had the honour of helping lead the fan walk, a sea of 5,000 passionate supporters. Standing right next to me was Farah Chowdhury, the only other brown person at the front. Just the two of us, representing something bigger in a crowd that didn’t often see faces like ours. We carried our Pakistani and Bangladeshi roots with pride, knowing that visibility matters - for us, for our communities, and for anyone watching who’s never seen themselves in spaces like this.

Behind the scenes

This tournament wasn’t just about football; it was about inclusion. Intersectionality was at the forefront of everything we did, making sure every supporter felt welcome and knew they belonged.

I had the privilege of working alongside some incredible people: Debs, Head of Women’s Football at the FSA; Rach, a fellow volunteer; and Esme, our brilliant photographer. Rach and I worked to raise awareness of We Are Free Lionesses, and ensuring there was always someone on hand to answer questions or offer support throughout the events.

On being an ally – why Debs mattered

I must give a massive shout-out to Deborah Dilworth. In spaces where representation can be limited, having an ally like her isn’t just nice: it’s vital. Debs wasn’t just present; she was intentional. She listened, amplified voices, and actively made space for perspectives that might otherwise get overlooked

An ally like Debs doesn’t wait to be told that diversity matters, she understands it’s about action, about showing up for people even when it’s uncomfortable or when it means challenging the status quo. In our work, she helped ensure that conversations about inclusion weren’t side notes - they were woven into everything we did. And that changes the game, both on and off the pitch 

Walking away with more than memories

When the final whistle blew, it wasn’t just the tournament that was over. It was the closing of a chapter I’ll always hold close. I left Switzerland with new friendships, stronger confidence, and the deep satisfaction of knowing I played a part - however small - in making this tournament more welcoming for everyone.

And maybe that’s what volunteering at something like the Women’s Euros is all about: not just being part of history, but helping to shape the kind of history you want to see.